germanium diodes don't work in my BM..

pietro_moog · Post by **pietro_moog** » 14 Sep 2011, 22:29

hi guys. i built a big muff with a rotary switch for diodes. everything works ok except the germanium ones.
they just don't work, all of them.
i don't understand why.
if i measure them, they're good. but they don't work.

any idea?

asatbluesboy · Post by **asatbluesboy** » 15 Sep 2011, 20:06

Wrong orientation? Bad solder joint? Bad karma?

.Mike · Post by **.Mike** » 15 Sep 2011, 20:13

...damaged diodes during soldering?

DrNomis · Post by **DrNomis** » 15 Sep 2011, 21:35

It could be that you might have a dry solder joint or two somewhere, when you say "not working" do you mean that the diodes aren't clipping the signal?...

pietro_moog · Post by **pietro_moog** » 16 Sep 2011, 02:22

i have a rotary switch system. 5 combinations, just the germanium one doesn't work, i re-did every connection- no cold joint.
i think the definitely answer is bad karma.
but what was the other one with damaged diodes during soldering?

.Mike · Post by **.Mike** » 16 Sep 2011, 04:20

Some people say germanium diodes can be heat sensitive during soldering.

I've never fried one, but gotta consider everything.

Mike

allesz · Post by **allesz** » 16 Sep 2011, 09:12

Just a quick test: disconnect the rotary switch, conect a fresh couple of diodes to the circuit with some alligator clips and see if they work.